Switching fridge from gas to DC

[Debi]

I’m new to rv’ing Yay!
I have a 95 Chevy G30. Beautiful! Love it. The Dometic fridge works great on propane. I haven’t tried it on DC yet. I’m taking a12 day trip and have some questions.
1. The original owner said he would switch from gas to DC when he was on the road to save propane.
Can I just switch to DC and fridge will stay on?
2. How do I know it’s working?
3. If I do need to fill the propane tank while on this trip, can I leave the fridge on when I fill it?

Thanks!!

[ManWonder]

I can tell you that on my 2004 roadtrek i run my fridge on DC while driving. Note that at least on mine there is no adjustment for temperature while on DC (according to the manual). In other words, it runs at maximum regardless of where the dial is set. That said, it's not great but it will maintain the temperature if it's not too hot outside. As far as propane usage, I avoid it while driving and you certainly never want to fill up at a gas station with propane on.

[Debi]

Great advice. Thank you

[BBQ]

.

Don't let this happen to you...

pull into a gas station and forgotten that you have your fridge on propane.

.

[BBQ]

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ps. most of the bridges and tunnels and ferries do not allow propane burning.

ps. when you stop for lunch, don't forget to switch from DC to propane,
and when you are underway again, switch it back to DC.

I know I know...

[Debi]

Lol. Awesome. Thank you ��

[Debi]

Omg. So glad I posted this question

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by BBQ

.

Don't let this happen to you...

pull into a gas station and forgotten that you have your fridge on propane.

.

Is the source of that photo known? And if so, was there ever a failure mode disclosed? If that kind of thing happened every time a Class B pulled into a gas station with propane switched on, there wouldn't be many gas stations left standing.

It's obviously a different incident from the one that went up in flames in the Los Angeles area last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUyuEYiRRRE

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

Is the source of that photo known? And if so, was there ever a failure mode disclosed? If that kind of thing happened every time a Class B pulled into a gas station with propane switched on, there wouldn't be many gas stations left standing.

It's obviously a different incident from the one that went up in flames in the Los Angeles area last year:

InterBlog: That's just an illustration.

[Porsche911]

Good advice always turn off that propane switch when not driving or hooked up to shore power.

[ManWonder]

Originally Posted by Porsche911

Good advice always turn off that propane switch when not driving or hooked up to shore power.

The thing is if you do leave your fridge on DC with the engine off your battery (or batteries) will be discharged in a short amount of time to the point of damaging them.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by ManWonder

The thing is if you do leave your fridge on DC with the engine off your battery (or batteries) will be discharged in a short amount of time to the point of damaging them.

With some 3 way designs, this can't happen. To prevent this from occurring, some units will not deliver 12VDC to the fridge if the ignition is off. To operate on 12VDC it requires either the engine running or at least the ignition to be on. IMO, they should all be set up that way.

[Lennie]

That video of the fire at the propane station is the reason I make people and pets get out of the RV before refilling propane. Granted I've only purchased propane a few times but the last time the guy didn't even ask me if the propane was off (it was, I double checked). Prior to that, one person made me show him it was off.

I try to make a habit of checking the refrigerator when I arrive and depart to make sure it's on DC for driving and propane while parked. It helps but sometimes I get distracted and I find I've left it off (fortunately it tends to stay at temperature for a while once it's cooled down).

I recommend buying a small refrigerator thermometer, it's really useful and I can see if I need to turn it cooler or warmer. I think mine was under $10 and it has an on/off button. They make wireless versions too, they just cost more.